Queen Latifah says music is "an escape" and "a release" from everyday life.

The singer-and-actress stars alongside Dolly Parton in the musical film Joyful Noise. The film follows two strong-minded women who are forced to co-operate when budget cuts threaten to shut down a small-town choir.

Latifah loved performing the gospel songs in the big screen movie.

"Gospel music has always hit me a certain way. Even as an actor, when you have to think of certain things for a scene, I can put on the Clark Sisters and it will take me there," she told Hip Hop Weekly magazine.

"It's an escape, a release; I can't imagine a world without music."

The 41-year-old rapper has discussed possible future music projects. The star would like to return to her hip hop roots at some point.

"I will always be a rap fan, a hip hop head; it is second nature. Hip Hop is like Rock n' Roll and if Run-DMC had a show or Heavy D was still here, I would be there," she explained.

"Maybe there will be room for me when I am 60 and want to drop my oldest hits."